Tag: Thruxton Circuit

Thruxton Circuit has been showing its thanks to dedicated volunteers helping with the COVID Helpline and Vaccination Clinics in the local area by offering a driving experience day for a select few from Unity.

Unity’s loyal and hard-working team of volunteers have worked tirelessly at the Vaccination Clinics in Andover and Romsey, sometimes seven days a week, as well as helping residents with prescriptions, shopping and other essential errands.

The Unity team handpicked four volunteers – Julian Pease, Tim Edmonds, Sally Baker and Steve Langdon – all of whom had gone above and beyond.

Becoming familiar with the fastest circuit in the UK with a race instructor, each volunteer turned their first laps of the Hampshire venue behind the wheel of a Porsche Cayman before then having the option to choose which car to drive next: either the Ford Mustang, Jaguar F-TYPE SVR or a Ferrari 458 Spider.

Following that, the adrenaline rush continued as they each drove a single-seater race car before one lucky volunteer received the ultimate surprise; three high-speed, sideways laps with former F1 driver and Top Gear presenter Tiff Needell in a brand new BMW M4.

Do you know a key worker, volunteer or organisation who has made a difference throughout the pandemic? Thruxton is dedicating a number of spaces on our driving experience days to help say thank you. Get in contact and tell us who and why you think deserves an extra special treat.

British Athletics have confirmed that Thruxton Circuit will play host to the Müller 2021 Wheelchair Marathon on Sunday 28th March.

Due to the limited amount of competition opportunities for wheelchair marathon athletes over the past year and upcoming months, this event at the fastest circuit in the UK is set to serve as a key preparation for a number of athletes based around the country.

With entries for the World Para Athletes approved event by invitation only, the competition opportunity at the Hampshire venue will see some athletes race shorter distances than the scheduled 26.2-miles.

Entries for the marathon so far include Paralympic medallist Shelly Woods, who will be targeting a third Games later this summer. Elsewhere, the men’s entry list includes 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medallist JohnBoy Smith and bronze medallist Simon Lawson.

Paula Dunn, British Athletics Para Head Coach, said: “This is a great competition opportunity for several of our wheelchair racers who have had limited chances to race over the last year or so. A lot of hard work has gone into finding a suitable COVID-19 secure venue to host this event, so thanks to all the stakeholders involved who have made this possible.”

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, added: “We are thrilled to be able to host this prestigious event for UK Athletics and it will be a first for the UK’s fastest circuit. The event reflects the efforts we have made to ensure that Thruxton is COVID-secure for a variety of purposes and, like many venues, our facilities have sat empty for far too long. It will be great to have competitive sport back on our track; it’s just a shame that we can’t have the spectators back too.”

Races are scheduled to get underway from midday. Please note, this event isn’t open to the public.

Thruxton Circuit is gearing up for a packed programme of motorsport action in 2021, highlighted by two visits from the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and the return of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

Following on from a COVID-19 affected 2020 campaign, the fastest circuit in the UK is set to play host to the some of the biggest championships and clubs over the course of the season, staging a total of seven race meetings from early May through to late August.

Kicking off the season at the Hampshire venue, Britain’s premier motorsport series – the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – will descend on the home of the British Automobile Racing Club on May 8/9 for the first of two visits during 2021, with a trio of action-packed contests set to take centre stage.

The start of June will see the return of the much-loved adrenaline-pumping, two-wheeled heroes of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship – moving from their customary August slot in a shakeup in the calendar.

One week later Thruxton will take a spirited trip down memory lane to a bygone era of machinery for its annual ‘Thruxton Historic’ two-day spectacle. The British Truck Racing Championship, Classic Sports Car Club and British Racing & Sports Car Club will also all captivate and entertain before the venue brings the curtain down on what will have undoubtedly been an unforgettable few months.

Having starred back in May, the BTCC and TOCA support package returns to Thruxton for another three high-octane races as the battle for the coveted title reaches the business end of the season.

Pat Blakeney, Thruxton Operations Manager, said: “We’re excited to release our 2021 events calendar that’ll provide a fantastic mix of two and four-wheeled action, both and new.

“A big change for next year is the revised date for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, which has moved to the weekend of June 4/5/6 instead of its traditional August fixture.

“We’ll also host two rounds of the ever-popular BTCC, as well as several other notable meetings which all in all sets the scene for what should be a great season.”

Thruxton Circuit 2021 Calendar

May 8/9 – British Touring Car Championship
June 4/5/6 – British Superbike Championship
June 12/13 – Thruxton Historic
July 3/4 – British Truck Racing Championship
July 24 – Classic Sports Car Club
August 14 – British Racing & Sports Car Club
August 28/29 – British Touring Car Championship

Stringent measures are in place to ensure that Thruxton operates in a COVID safe environment, ensuring that spectators remain safe whilst soaking up the on-track action. Should Thruxton be unable to have spectators at a race meeting in 2021. Customers will have the option of a full refund or to transfer their tickets.

Head to https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing to find out more information on each event and ticket prices.

Thruxton Circuit has continued in its efforts to ensure the highest levels of safety with the completion of further improvements being made to the run-off of Church Corner, often referred to as the fastest corner in British motor racing.

The British Automobile Racing Club operated venue had intended to proceed with the planned developments during the upcoming winter months however the suspension of motorsport due to the coronavirus pandemic allowed the work to be brought forward.

Having carried out a number of upgrades to the infamous corner in recent years, including the levelling of the ground and moving the barriers further back, recent months has seen extensive labour take place.

Manoeuvring more than 150,000 cubic metres of earth, a total of 580 metres of armco has been newly put in place around the corner; made up of 173 posts and no less than 652 car tyres.

Whilst the work has been substantial, the characteristics of the corner and challenges that it presents have crucially remained the same, much to the delight of competitors and spectators alike.

Pat Blakeney, Thruxton Operations Manager, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve now completed this vital safety enhancement to the circuit. This work was originally planned to be done over this winter but when the country went into lockdown this spring it gave us an ideal opportunity to do this with the virtual guarantee of some decent weather.

“In conjunction with our Landlord and their landfill contractors the work was completed on time and this in turn enabled us to run our first race meeting of 2020 at the end of July.

“At present Church Corner looks very different from a drivers perspective but the corner remains the same and I’m sure that by the time the grass grows and we’re a year or two down the line, nobody will remember what it used to look like.

“Thruxton is now in it’s 52^nd year of operation, with the track layout totally unchanged so it was important to us to both improve driver safety but to also preserve what has to be one of the most iconic corners in the country.”

The Hampshire venue is now making preparations for the annual visit of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship on September 19/20. To view the latest information on this race meeting, head to https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/btcc.

Thruxton Circuit is making preparations for a busy second half of the 2020 motorsport season after announcing a post-lockdown schedule comprising of five events.

With UK motor racing having been suspended since late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-loved Hampshire track has worked hard to piece together a calendar.

The Classic Sports Car Club will kick off what is set to be a feast of on-track entertainment over the coming months with its eclectic mix of infamous racers going wheel-to-wheel on July 25/26.

On August 15/16, the high-speed venue will then take a trip down memory lane as a bygone era of machinery takes centre stage for the coveted ‘Thruxton Historic’ meeting.

One week later on August 22/23, attention will turn to the British Racing & Sports Car Club as it makes a welcome return with multiple Caterham categories and Fun Cup Championship topping the bill.

Moving from its traditional May date, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support categories will speed into the fastest circuit in the country on September 19/20.

As the 2020 campaign begins to edge towards its conclusion, three high-octane races from Britain’s premier race series will provide plenty of tin top thrills and spills.

Rounding out Thruxton’s revised schedule will be a two-day event hosted by the British Automobile Racing Club on October 24/25.

Unfortunately, both the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the BTRC British Truck Racing Championship meetings have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now return in 2021.

All dates and events remain provisional and subject to change in line with the latest government guidelines.

The CSCC race meeting will be run behind closed doors (no spectators) but the venue is hopeful that spectators will be able to attend the remaining events. Confirmation is expected in the next few weeks.

Thruxton Circuit – Revised Provisional 2020 Calendar

July 25/26 – Classic Sports Car Club

August 15/16 – Thruxton Historic

August 22/23 – British Racing & Sports Car Club

September 19/20 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

October 24/25 – British Automobile Racing Club

Searching for inspiration for what to buy the petrol-head in your life? Then search no further… Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire has a Santa’s sackful of Christmas gift ideas, all of which involve high-speed high-jinks around Britain’s fastest racetrack.

Catering to all ages and abilities, Thruxton’s hugely popular driving experiences guarantee a high-octane day out of the very highest order – both on and off-road – where the cars are most definitely the stars.

The latest Ford Mustang – the ultimate American muscle car – is the newest addition to Thruxton’s impressive fleet and perfectly complements the other offerings in the stable, which houses an awful lot of horses indeed.

There is an Italian stallion in the shape of Ferrari’s 458 Spider – scarlet red, naturally – as well as a bevy of quintessentially British beauties. The elegant Jaguar F-Type SVR looks quick just sat still, while the carbon-fibre McLaren 570S is a magnificent piece of machinery that boasts the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class.

If James Bond is more your style, the speed and sophistication of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430 awaits. Around Thruxton’s flat-out sweepers, it’ll be sure to leave you feeling shaken, not stirred.

Teutonic engineering perfection can be found in both the Porsche Cayman and Audi R8, or for budding Lewis Hamiltons, a Formula Renault single-seater racing car – similar to that in which the six-time Formula 1 World Champion first earned his motorsport spurs – offers an edge-of-the-seat glimpse of life in the fast lane.

Juniors – aged 12 and above and at least 4ft10in (1.47m) tall – can learn all the essential skills and basic techniques required to stay safe on the road, whilst Thruxton’s state-of-the-art skid pan and purpose-built 4×4 facility pose an altogether different challenge when it comes to car control.

Experiences start from as little as £69 right up to the all-encompassing Ultimate Supercar Driving Experience, which includes driving time in a range of supercars, sportscars and racing cars plus high-speed passenger blasts. Whatever you choose, an unforgettable white-knuckle ride is guaranteed.

All experiences begin with expert tuition from fully-qualified racing instructors – with the option to jump in alongside former F1 and Le Mans racer and Top Gear TV star Tiff Needell in his ‘sideways special’ BMW M4.

All driving experiences can be purchased as an open gift voucher valid for one year, allowing the lucky recipient to book a date convenient to them. Not sure what to buy? Monetary gift vouchers – beginning at just £50 – allow the recipient to choose the driving experience themselves.

More information can be found at www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/experiences or by calling 01264 882222

Thruxton Circuit is gearing up for another packed programme of motorsport action in 2020 after unveiling a blockbuster events schedule which will see some of the biggest championships and clubs headline at the Hampshire venue.

Coming off the back of memorable 2019 season, six events will take place at the home of the British Automobile Racing Club over the course of the year, starting in mid May and ending in late August.

Kicking off the season around the fastest circuit in the UK will be the annual TOCA test day on April 16, which will see the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and support categories provide a taster of what is to come around the fastest motor racing circuit in the country.

One month later, the BTCC will return for the fourth event of its 2020 campaign with three high-octane races headlining what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable weekend of tin top thrills and spills. 

The start of June will see Thruxton take a trip down memory lane as a bygone era of machinery takes centre stage for the ‘Thruxton Historic’ meeting before the heavyweight behemoths of the MV Commercial BTRA Championship top the bill at the end of the month.

July will see Thruxton welcome the Classic Sports Car Club once again before the adrenaline-pumping two-wheeled heroes of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship make their traditional summer visit.

Bringing the curtain down on an unforgettable summer of motorsport at Thruxton will be the return to the British Racing & Sports Car Club at the end of August.

THRUXTON CIRCUIT 2020 CALENDAR

April 16 – TOCA Test Day

May 16/17 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

June 6/7 – Thruxton Historic

June 27/28 – British Truck Racing

July 25/26 – Classic Sports Car Club

August 7/8/9 – Bennetts British Superbike Championship

August 22/23 – British Racing Sports Car Club

Tickets to all 2020 Thruxton race meetings are now available to purchase online from https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing or call 01264 882200 (option 1).